Amarillo College vs Sul Ross State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Amarillo College comes closer — median earnings $41,302 against a $9,200 total, vs $41,871 at Sul Ross State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Amarillo College | Sul Ross State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,600 | $13,286 |
| Total net cost | $9,200 | $53,144 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,302 | $41,871 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $15,900 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$150,360 | -$182,924 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Sul Ross State University?
Amarillo College, at $4,600 a year after aid versus $13,286 — a gap of $8,686 a year, or $43,944 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Amarillo College or Sul Ross State University graduates earn more?
Sul Ross State University graduates report a median $41,871 ten years after entry, $569 more than the $41,302 at Amarillo College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Amarillo College or Sul Ross State University?
Amarillo College: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $15,900 at Sul Ross State University, a difference of $900. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
32% of students finish at Amarillo College, against 30% at Sul Ross State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.